About Cooperative fund of new england
Cooperative Fund of New England: Empowering Communities through Cooperative Financing
The Cooperative Fund of New England (CFNE) is a non-profit organization that provides financing and technical assistance to cooperatives in the New England region. Established in 1975, CFNE has been working towards economic, social, and racial justice by supporting cooperatives that are owned and controlled by their members.
CFNE's mission is to create a more just economy by investing in cooperative enterprises that build community wealth. The organization believes that cooperatives are an effective tool for creating sustainable jobs, promoting local ownership, and addressing income inequality. By providing affordable financing and business support services to cooperatives, CFNE helps these businesses thrive while also strengthening the communities they serve.
One of CFNE's primary goals is to assist cooperatives in low-income communities. The organization recognizes that these communities often lack access to traditional sources of capital and face significant barriers when it comes to starting or expanding a business. By providing flexible financing options tailored to the needs of each cooperative, CFNE helps these businesses overcome financial obstacles and achieve long-term success.
CFNE offers several types of loans designed specifically for cooperatives. These include start-up loans for new businesses, expansion loans for existing businesses looking to grow or diversify their operations, bridge loans for short-term cash flow needs, and real estate loans for purchasing or renovating property. In addition to financing options, CFNE also provides technical assistance services such as business planning support, financial management training, marketing assistance, and legal advice.
Over the years, CFNE has supported a wide range of cooperative enterprises across various industries including agriculture & food systems; arts & culture; energy & environment; housing; retail & consumer goods; worker-owned co-ops; credit unions & community development finance institutions (CDFIs). Some notable examples include Equal Exchange (a fair trade coffee company), Real Pickles (a fermented foods producer), Boston Ujima Project (a community investment fund), Worcester Roots Project (an urban agriculture initiative), among others.
CFNE's impact on the New England region has been significant over its 45-year history. Since its inception in 1975 until December 2020 alone it had provided over $50 million in loan capital with more than $100 million leveraged from other sources which have helped create or preserve over 10k jobs across all sectors mentioned above while also contributing significantly towards building stronger local economies throughout this region.
In conclusion,
The Cooperative Fund of New England is an essential resource for anyone interested in promoting economic justice through cooperative enterprise development. With its focus on low-income communities and commitment to providing affordable financing options tailored specifically towards co-ops' unique needs - this organization plays an important role not only within our regional economy but also nationally as well given how many other regions could benefit from similar initiatives like those offered here at home!